Viaduc d'Austerlitz, Steel metro bridge across Seine River in Paris, France
The Viaduc d'Austerlitz is a steel railway bridge over the Seine, carrying Métro Line 5 between Gare d'Austerlitz and Quai de la Rapée. Its two parabolic arches, joined at three points, rise above a single suspended deck about 8.6 m wide. The arches rest on stone abutments, and the rails are laid directly on the steel structure without ballast.
Engineer Louis Biette and Fulgence Bienvenüe designed this bridge in 1903, and it opened in 1904 as a record-breaking span for Parisian structures. The innovative engineering approach solved the challenge of crossing the river without underwater supports.
The bridge displays sea creatures in its decorative reliefs and steel supports bearing the Paris coat of arms. These details show how early 20th-century engineering projects blended practical design with artistic expression.
The bridge carries Métro Line 5 between Gare d'Austerlitz station on the left bank and Quai de la Rapée on the right bank. Passengers traveling this line get clear views of the river and the surrounding neighborhoods as the train crosses.
The two steel arcs are joined at three points: near each bank and at the crown. The deck sits only about 11 m above the water, so the arches had to rise above it and anchor into stone abutments measuring 22 m by 18 m. Look for the Paris coat of arms etched on the steel footings.
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